It's totally possible to trade for Chychrun and keep the entire core of this team (Stützle, DeBrincat, Chabot, Tkachuk, Batherson, Chychrun, Giroux, Norris, Sanderson). It will be very tight, but the cap is expected to jump after next season, which should give them the breathing room they need.
There are a few variables that could change the financial outlook, and I'll briefly cover them and what they could mean.
Pinto: Pinto is really good, and I would say the odds are pretty likely that he'll be more than a 2.75mil player next year. Sens will need him to be willing to take a haircut for one year to make it work, but it's entirely possible that he prices himself out of that range, and Ottawa might have to explore a trade, either of him or of a guy like Mathieu Joseph to clear salary. He's probably the biggest potential casualty in the quest to keep the core together.
Thomson/Bernard-Docker: This is actually a pull in the opposite direction from the previous one, as the emergence of either of these two as bonafide top 4 options would absolutely give Ottawa the leeway to let Zub walk to give a bit of breathing room. Not that you want to lose Zub, but if one of them is a real option in that role, you might have to bet on them.
Batherson: I've said all I can really say about the 2018 World Juniors situation already, but you have to point out that Batherson might be involved here. Personally I think the league should black ball anyone found to be involved in that awful situation, so there’s a possibility Ottawa will not have Batherson after this year.
Stützle: I honestly believe Tim Stützle is going to be one of the best players in the league in his prime. If he hits that star level this season, there's a chance he's making way more than 8.25 next year which will definitely force some of the above decisions.
Debrincat: unlike Stützle, Cat already IS a superstar. He's one of the most dangerous shooters in the league. I think given what guys like Gaudreau and M.Tkachuk got, I think 9mil is reasonable for what DeBrincat has done so far. That said, he's got a lot of leverage in negotiations, and he could hang 50 goals next year and put himself in a completely different conversation cap wise. But ultimately, he's a superstar, and when it comes to balancing the cap, you get him done and make whatever moves you have to to make it work.
Formenton is gone. Even putting aside the 2018 WJC stuff, it's been clear for a while he's not a long term piece. Once the Giroux and DeBrincat deals came together, it was clear that Joz and Formenton weren't both gonna stick around long term, and Joz is the one who got the big contract, while Formenton is still waiting.
Brannstrom could sign a two year deal this summer at 1mil or less and then still have a spot on the 3rd pair next year. Realistically though, I think if he was gonna sign it'd have happened already. I just don't think there's interest on either side in dragging this on. My guess is that he's moved, either for Chychrun or in a related move.
Alex DeBrincat already has 2 40 goal seasons under his belt. He'll come in closer to $10,000,000 x 7-8 years. His wife owns her own business in Chicago. I'd be totally shocked if he signs long term with Ottawa.
Alex DeBrincat already has 2 40 goal seasons under his belt. He'll come in closer to $10,000,000 x 7-8 years. His wife owns her own business in Chicago. I'd be totally shocked if he signs long term with Ottawa.
Idk, I don't see the argument that he's worth more than Matthew Tkachuk. I understand what you're saying, but that's the bar he needs to clear.
Idk, I don't see the argument that he's worth more than Matthew Tkachuk. I understand what you're saying, but that's the bar he needs to clear.
Not comparables, Tkachuk signed cheaper in tax friendly Florida. Ottawa's tax base is higher than California's.
Tkachuck and Gaudreau had one great season in Calgary. Let's see if both continue the exact same production with Florida and Columbus for the foreseeable future.
Honestly it's not the worst plan but part of me thinks if I'm Tim Stutzle, I look at 2 years left on Claude Giroux's contract and take a bridge deal. If he keeps progressing he could easily make up the lost money on his next deal after signing a bridge at like 2x$5M.